[HISTORY: Adopted by the Common Council of the City of Peekskill 4-22-1996 (Ch. 105 of the 1984 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
It is determined that an increasing number of alarm devices are being installed and used in the City of Peekskill, that this has contributed to a significant number of false alarms being made or relayed to the Police and Fire Departments, and that false alarms hinder the efficiency of these departments, lower the morale of their personnel and constitute a danger to the public safety and welfare.
B. 
The purposes of this chapter are to regulate the use and installation of alarm devices, promote their responsible use and reduce the number of false alarms transmitted to the Police and Fire Departments. Among other things, this chapter defines and provides for the registration of alarm devices.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ALARM
A visible or audible signal, or a signal transmitted over telephone lines or by other means, which is intended to give notice of an incident to which the Police Department or Fire Department is expected to respond. A telephone voice call or radio transmission made by an individual available to be engaged in two-way communication, and not in response to an alarm device, is not an alarm within the meaning of this chapter.
ALARM ADMINISTRATOR or ADMINISTRATOR
An individual designated pursuant to this chapter who is charged with responsibility for the administration of this chapter.
ALARM BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
One or more of the following activities, when carried on in the conduct of a business for profit: selling, leasing, supplying, installing, servicing, repairing, removing, maintaining or operating alarm devices.
ALARM CONTRACTOR
A person owning or operating a business engaged in one or more alarm business activities.
ALARM DEVICE
A device, series or combination of devices or system of devices which transmits an alarm when activated by a criminal act, unauthorized intrusion, fire or other emergency. Excluded from this definition and the scope of this chapter are single-unit, battery-operated smoke alarms and other devices which are designed to alert or signal only persons in the premises or residence where they are installed.
[Amended 7-24-2006 by L.L. No. 4-2006; 12-11-2006 by L.L. No. 9-2006]
ALARM HEARING OFFICER
A person appointed by the City Manager who shall not be a member or employee of the Peekskill Police Department.
[Added 10-27-2003 by L.L. No. 14-2003]
ALARM-RESPONSE FACILITY
A facility designated in this chapter or by the City of Peekskill Common Council as being authorized to receive transmissions and communications that give notice of or relate to the activation of alarm devices, including communications from central stations. Police Headquarters is hereby designated as an alarm-response facility.
ALARM USER
Includes each person owning, leasing or otherwise having control over the premises or residence where an alarm device is used or installed.
[Amended 7-24-2006 by L.L. No. 4-2006; 12-11-2006 by L.L. No. 9-2006]
AUTOMATIC DIAL ALARM
A telephone device or attachment that automatically or electronically selects a telephone line to Police or Fire Headquarters, or to a facility maintained by or under the control of the City of Peekskill, and reproduces a recorded message to report an incident calling for a response from the Police Department or Fire Department. Excluded from this definition are alarm devices which relay a digital coded signal.
CENTRAL STATION
A facility to which signals from remote alarm devices are transmitted for verification, monitoring, recording or evaluation, and from which information concerning the activation of an alarm device is relayed or reported, when deemed appropriate, to the Police Department or Fire Department, or to a designated alarm response facility. An office or facility of the City of Peekskill shall not be deemed a central station.
CENTRAL STATION SERVICES
Services customarily provided to users or owners of alarm devices by central stations.
FALSE ALARM
Any activation of an alarm device registered or required to be registered pursuant to this chapter to which the Police Department or Fire Department respond which is not caused by a criminal act, unauthorized intrusion, fire or other emergency.
PERSON
Any individual, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, organization or other legal entity.
RESPONSIBLE ALARM USER
When used with reference to an identifiable registered alarm device, the person to whom a registration permit has been issued for such device; and when used with reference to any other alarm device, the owner of the premises or residence at which the alarm device is installed or located.
[Amended 7-24-2006 by L.L. No. 4-2006; 12-11-2006 by L.L. No. 9-2006]
A. 
Subject to the provisions of § 160-18, no person owning, leasing or occupying premises located in the City of Peekskill shall install, use or operate an alarm device, or permit the installation or operation of an alarm device, at or upon such premises unless:
(1) 
Such device is registered with the alarm administrator in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(2) 
An alarm device registration permit issued pursuant to this chapter is in effect for such device for a period of one year, renewable July 1 of each year.
[Amended 7-24-2006 by L.L. No. 4-2006; 12-11-2006 by L.L. No. 9-2006]
B. 
Subject to the provisions of § 160-18, no person owning, using or operating an alarm device at premises within the City of Peekskill shall cause or suffer such device to be actively connected to an alarm response facility, including Police Headquarters, unless such device is registered with the alarm administrator in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and an alarm device registration permit issued pursuant to this chapter is in effect for such device. For purposes of this chapter, an alarm device shall be deemed to be actively connected to an alarm-response facility if the Police Department or Fire Department is expected to respond to an activation of the device as a result a signal, information or notice transmitted or communicated to an alarm-response facility from the device or from a central station or other intermediary acting pursuant to arrangements made by the owner or a user of the device.
C. 
No person shall relocate an alarm device registered pursuant to this section to a different premises unless the alarm device registration permit issued for the device is first amended.
D. 
On proper application of an alarm user, the alarm administrator is authorized to register an alarm device or issue or amend an alarm device registration permit in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
E. 
Failure to register an alarm or alarm system as required by this section shall be a violation of this chapter and shall be subject to the penalties set forth in § 160-17.
A. 
To apply for the registration of an alarm device or for amendment of an alarm device registration permit, an alarm user or owner shall:
(1) 
Pay the applicable fee.
(2) 
File with the alarm administrator a completed application statement in the form prescribed and provided by the administrator, containing such information as the administrator may require in accordance with § 160-4E.
(3) 
Where the application is for amendment of a permit, submit to the administrator the permit sought to be amended.
B. 
Within 20 days following receipt of a properly completed application under this section, the alarm administrator shall issue to the applicant an alarm device registration permit for the alarm device described in the application statement, or amend a permit as requested, unless the administrator determines that the application should be denied in its entirety or in particular aspects because either the applicant has failed to comply with applicable registration requirements established by or pursuant to this chapter or, under the provisions of this chapter, the applicant is not entitled to the permit or official action requested. If the alarm administrator determines not to issue or amend a permit or take particular action requested, he shall give prompt written notice of such determination to the applicant, indicating in such notice the basis for the determination made. Notices hereunder shall be given by certified mail, return receipt requested.
C. 
An alarm device registration permit issued or amended under this section shall remain in effect until surrendered or until suspended or revoked in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(1) 
Issuance of permit decals. A decal with the alarm permit number will be issued with the alarm permit. This decal must be prominently posted on or near the front entrance to the premises or residence so that the information provided on the decal is visible from the outside of the structure.
[Added 12-11-2006 by L.L. No. 9-2006]
D. 
The alarm administrator shall maintain records of all applications made and permits issued and amended under this section and of reported false alarms and activations of registered alarm devices. Such records shall be kept in a format which will permit the administrator to determine the number of false alarms, if any, which have been caused by and charged to a registered alarm device.
E. 
In furtherance of the purposes of this chapter, the alarm administrator is authorized to prescribe the form or forms to be filed and the information to be furnished in connection with an application for registration made under this section. Each applicant for an alarm device registration permit shall be required to furnish registration information concerning the type of device for which application is made (fire, burglar, medical emergency, etc.), the identity of the applicant and of the owner or lessee of the device, the identity of the premises and of the owner of the premises where the device is to be installed, the identity of the supplier and installer of the alarm device and of persons contracting to service, maintain or repair the device, the New York State alarm license numbers of the installation/service company, the identity of any central station or other intermediary which will receive signals from the device in the event of its activation and the identity of a responsible person, in addition to the applicant, who may be contacted in the event of an activation of the device.
F. 
Each recipient of an alarm device registration permit shall notify the alarm administrator, in writing, of all material changes in submitted registration information, including any changes in the identity of the person or persons owning, leasing or otherwise having control over the premises where an alarm device is used or installed, in order that such information may be kept current. If a registered alarm device is removed from use other than on a temporary basis, the permit issued for such device shall be surrendered to the alarm administrator within 30 days following such removal.
No person shall install or register an automatic-dial alarm on or after the effective date of this chapter. Notwithstanding the prohibitions contained in this section, an automatic-dial alarm installed and in use prior to the effective date of this chapter may continue to be used and operated pursuant to an alarm device registration permit issued under this chapter:
A. 
Until such time as the alarm administrator determines that such automatic-dial alarm has created a burden on the functioning of the City's alarm response facility;
B. 
Until the alarm device registration permit for such device is transferred to a new property owner.
A. 
After the effective date of this chapter, the alarm administrator will not register or permit the registration of an alarm device which transmits a digitally coded signal or other alarm directly to Police Headquarters or any other designated alarm-response facility, or to any equipment or facility otherwise maintained by or under the control of the City of Peekskill, unless the alarm user has received special authorization in accordance with Subsection B of this section.
B. 
A governmental agency or entity or a not-for-profit institution may be granted authority by the alarm administrator to have a direct line to Police Headquarters or another designated alarm response facility, provided that:
(1) 
The connection is by high-grade, dedicated line meeting specifications that may be established by the Common Council in consultation with the administrator and departments concerned.
(2) 
The alarm user supplies all equipment necessary for such connection, including any equipment required at the response facility to receive and monitor such transmissions, and such equipment meets all specifications that may be established by the Common Council in consultation with the administrator and departments concerned.
(3) 
The Police Department or Fire Department determines that the level of risk and exposure, or other factors, justify a direct line connection.
(4) 
The administrator determines that the facilities and resources available to the City are suitable and adequate for such direct connection and that such connection will not unduly burden the functioning of the City's alarm-response facility.
C. 
After the effective date of this chapter, signals that result from the activation of an alarm device shall not be directly transmitted to Police Headquarters or any other designated alarm response facility except as authorized in accordance with Subsection B.
Unless otherwise expressly permitted or required by law, the alarm administrator will not register or permit the registration of an alarm device for installation within the City of Peekskill if such device produces an exterior audible signal which is not designed to limit each activation of such signal to a maximum period of 15 minutes.
A. 
It shall be a violation of this chapter to intentionally cause a false alarm, and any person who does so shall be subject to the penalty provisions of § 160-17.
B. 
It shall be a violation of this chapter for an end user to have an alarm system installed or serviced by a company that is not licensed by New York State.
A. 
The Police Department or Fire Department shall investigate and report to the administrator all false alarms to which it responds. Each false alarm with respect to which a charge is imposed pursuant to § 160-10 shall be supported by a written report of an investigating officer, which report shall be furnished to the administrator and made available to the alarm user against whom the charge is made.
B. 
A central station that reports the activation of an alarm device to which the Police Department or Fire Department is expected to respond shall use its best efforts to promptly notify the owner or user of such device, or his authorized representative, of the activation of the device.
A. 
When the administrator determines that the Police Department or Fire Department has responded to a false alarm as a result of the activation or report of activation of an alarm device, the administrator shall impose a charge on the responsible alarm user in accordance with the following schedule:
[Amended 2-19-2015 by L.L. No. 1-2015]
False Alarms
Charge
First
No charge
Second
No charge
Third
No charge
Fourth and each subsequent
$125
B. 
The charge imposed shall be computed on the basis of the number of false alarms recorded in the same calendar year against the alarm device generating the false alarm, or, if a specific registered alarm device cannot be identified as the cause of the false alarm, then the charge shall be imposed on the basis of the number of recorded false alarms occurring in that year at the same premises. However, in determining the amount of the charge to be imposed under this section, the administrator shall not consider or take into account any false alarm occurring prior to the effective date of this section. Notice of each false alarm recorded against an alarm device or premises shall be given to the responsible user.
C. 
Except as otherwise herein provided, all false alarms occurring after the effective date of this section, whether caused intentionally or not and whether due to a malfunction of an alarm or not, shall be subject to the imposition of charges pursuant to this section.
D. 
The administrator shall notify the responsible user by written notice of a false alarm charge imposed. If the false alarm occurs at a premises within the City of Peekskill, a copy of such notice also shall be sent, in the same manner, to each other person identified as a record owner of the premises at which the false alarm occurred. The administrator shall also forward a copy of such notice, along with all supporting documentation to substantiate said violations and charges to the Alarm Hearing Officer.
[Amended 10-27-2003 by L.L. No. 14-2003]
E. 
Within 30 days after the mailing of such notice, the alarm user or a record owner of the premises may contest the false alarm charge by filing an appeal, in writing, to the Alarm Hearing Officer, information to show that a false alarm did not occur or that the charge imposed was incorrectly computed and should be modified.
[Amended 10-27-2003 by L.L. No. 14-2003]
(1) 
If the defense to a false alarm charge is based on a claim that an alarm device activation was caused by a malfunction of telephone equipment under the control of a telephone company or by a public utility system power failure.
(2) 
If the defense is supported by verification from the telephone company or electric utility company involved or by other probative evidence.
F. 
The Alarm Hearing Officer, after considering all information submitted, shall reaffirm, rescind or modify the false alarm charge, notifying the administrator, alarm user and record owner of the premises of his decision.
[Amended 10-27-2003 by L.L. No. 14-2003]
G. 
Failure of a responsible alarm user to pay a false alarm charge imposed under this section within 30 days after a decision on appeal affirming such charge or after an appeal is waived shall constitute an offense against and violation of this chapter and shall subject a violator to the penalties described in § 160-17, without affecting the obligation of such person to pay the false alarm charge imposed.
[Amended 10-27-2003 by L.L. No. 14-2003]
H. 
All charges imposed under this section shall be paid to the City of Peekskill and deposited to the general funds of the City.
[Added 10-27-2003 by L.L. No. 14-2003]
I. 
All charges imposed for false alarms under this section which remain unpaid for 60 days after such charge is no longer subject to an administrative appeal shall become a lien upon the property from which the false alarm originated if such property lies within the City of Peekskill, shall be added to the next City property tax bill and shall be collected in the same manner and by the same means as a tax. The remedy of collecting such charges in this manner shall not be exclusive, shall be in addition to any other lawful remedy and shall not preclude the bringing of a violation pursuant to the authority set forth in § 160-10G of this section.
[Added 10-27-2003 by L.L. No. 14-2003; amended 5-24-2004 by L.L. No. 7-2004]
A. 
If activations of an alarm device result in three false alarms within a single calendar year, the administrator shall give notice thereof to the responsible alarm user. Such notice shall indicate that an alarm device registration permit may be suspended or revoked pursuant to the provisions of this chapter if activation of the alarm device for which it is issued results in five or more false alarms within a single calendar year. The notice shall request that the device be inspected and tested by a New York State licensed contractor and adjusted or repaired if necessary, and that the alarm user submit a contractor's certificate evidencing that the alarm device has been inspected subsequent to the administrator's request, and that it is in proper working order and condition, including a report of corrective action taken.
B. 
Activations of any alarm device which result in five or more false alarms within a single calendar year shall be grounds for the suspension or revocation of the alarm device registration permit issued for such device.
Information obtained by the administrator under this chapter relating to particular alarm users and alarm devices shall not be divulged without the written consent of the alarm user concerned, except as necessary or appropriate to the enforcement or administration of this chapter or to assist the Police Department or Fire Department in responding to an alarm.
Except as otherwise provided herein, notices required or permitted to be given pursuant to the provisions of this chapter shall be in writing and may be given and delivered by first-class mail. Notices shall be deemed given when properly deposited with the United States Postal Service or when delivered personally.
A. 
Notwithstanding the payment of any fee and/or the issuance of any permit as herein required, the City shall be under no obligation whatsoever concerning the adequacy, operation or maintenance of the alarm device so installed, and the City and its authorized agents hereby assume no liability whatsoever for any failure of any such alarm device or the central response facility or for the failure to respond to any such alarm or for any act of commission or omission as a result of any such alarm device or system.
B. 
The issuance of an alarm user permit does not create any special relationship or obligation on the part of the City to respond to any alarm.
C. 
The alarm user or permittee, upon acceptance of such permit, hereby agrees to hold and save harmless the City, its agents or employees from any liability whatsoever in connection with any such alarm device or the operation of the same.
It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person to make a false statement or submit false or misleading information in connection with any application made under this chapter or with respect to the updating or submitted registration information or in connection with any proceeding commenced under this chapter.
A. 
For a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter or any of the rules, regulations or orders promulgated under this chapter and as otherwise provided in this chapter, the administrator may deny an application for registration or for a permit, or may decline to issue, amend or renew a permit, or may suspend or revoke a permit or registration which has been issued or granted.
B. 
No permit or registration shall be suspended or revoked except upon written notice to the registrant or permittee who shall be accorded an opportunity to be heard and to contest such suspension or revocation.
C. 
Any permit issued under this chapter shall be surrendered to the administrator upon suspension or revocation, and failure to do so in a timely manner shall constitute a violation of this chapter.
D. 
No part of any fee payable in connection with an application made under this chapter shall be refundable by reason of the denial of such application or because of the suspension or revocation of a permit or registration.
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be subject to a fine in an amount not to exceed $250 for each offense. Each day that a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.
[Added 7-24-2006 by L.L. No. 4-2006; amended 12-11-2006 by L.L. No. 9-2006; 2-17-2015 by L.L. No. 1-2015; 2-27-2017 by L.L. No. 1-2017]
A. 
All fees shall be set forth in the Consolidated Fee Schedule maintained in the office of the City Clerk.
B. 
For every new alarm installed during the course of the calendar year, the applicant shall pay the full yearly permit fee within 14 days of said installation.
None of the provisions of this chapter shall apply to an emergency alarm device or devices installed in a motor vehicle or trailer nor to employees of a public utility company engaged in the business of providing communication services or facilities.
[Amended 10-27-2003 by L.L. No. 14-2003]
A. 
This chapter shall be administered by an alarm administrator who shall have the powers and duties accorded to the administrator under this chapter, including the authority to promulgate rules and regulations as herein provided.
B. 
The Chief of Police or his/her designee shall serve as the alarm administrator.
C. 
The administrator may adopt such rules, regulations and standards necessary or appropriate to effectuate the purposes and promote the effective administration of this chapter.
D. 
The administrator may, for good cause shown, enlarge the periods prescribed herein for compliance or appeal.
E. 
The administrator may order the disconnection of any alarm device or other equipment used, installed, connected or operated in violation of the provisions of this chapter or any rules, regulations or orders promulgated hereunder. It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person to disobey any such order lawfully given.
[Amended 10-27-2003 by L.L. No. 14-2003]
A. 
All appeals must be made in writing to the administrator within 30 days after mailing of the notice pursuant to § 160-10B hereof, in default of which the right to an appeal shall be deemed waived.
B. 
Upon receipt of an appeal, as provided above, the administrator shall:
(1) 
Notify the appellant in writing of the receipt of said appeal; and
(2) 
Forward a copy of such appeal, along with all supporting documentation to substantiate said violations and charges to the Alarm Hearing Officer.
C. 
The Alarm Hearing Officer shall review all documentation presented by both the administrator and the appellant in his defense. Upon the conclusion of such review, the Hearing Officer shall make a binding determination and shall either affirm, reverse, or reverse in part the determination of the administrator. Any person aggrieved by the determination of the Hearing Officer, including the administrator, shall have the right to challenge such determination pursuant to Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules of the State of New York.
The City may institute civil or other proceedings to enforce the provisions of this chapter and the rules, regulations or orders promulgated hereunder.
If any part or parts of this chapter are for any reason held to be invalid or unenforceable, such decision shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the remaining parts of this chapter.